Bradlee L. Heckmann is an American biologist and neuroimmunologist who works at the Byrd Alzheimer’s Center and the University of South Florida’s Here’s the refined version of Dr. Bradlee Heckmann's bio, ready for you to copy and use on your website:

Dr. Bradlee L. Heckmann is a distinguished American biologist and neuroimmunologist, known for his pioneering research in neuroinflammation and autophagy within the context of neurodegenerative diseases. He serves as an Assistant Professor of Molecular Medicine at the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine and is a core member of the Byrd Alzheimer's Center and Research Institute and the USF Health Neuroscience Institute at the University of South Florida (USF).

Dr. Heckmann’s research is focused on understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms that govern neuroimmunity, particularly in diseases like Alzheimer's. He has made significant contributions to the field, notably discovering the LC3-associated endocytosis (LANDO) pathway. This pathway plays a vital role in clearing β-amyloid from the brain, offering potential therapeutic strategies for Alzheimer’s and related disorders.

In addition to his academic appointments, Dr. Heckmann is the co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Asha Therapeutics, a Tampa-based biotechnology company dedicated to developing novel therapies for neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome, and long COVID.

Dr. Heckmann’s academic journey began with a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Kentucky, followed by a Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine. He further honed his expertise during a postdoctoral fellowship in immunology at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Throughout his career, Dr. Heckmann has been recognized with several prestigious awards, including:

• International Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine (2021)

• Sigma Xi Research Honor Society inductee (2020)

• Young Investigator Award from the European Cell Death Organization (2019)

• Early Career Research Award from the American Association of Immunologists (2019)

• Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award from the National Institutes of Health (2018)

His work continues to shape the future of neuroimmunology, driving forward innovative therapeutic strategies for some of the most challenging diseases.